Article Preview
TopBackground
Human locomotion grants people the ability to move efficiently from one position to another. In biomechanical terms, human locomotion entails moving the center of mass along a horizontal trajectory with a specified direction and velocity (Arch & Fylstra, 2016; Marasović, Cecić, & Zanchi, 2009). The unique gait characteristics of humans allows them to walk while remaining upright and alert with the hands free for simultaneous use (Foley & Elton, 1998). When gait becomes hindered in an individual, the quality of life tends to decrease, as the difficulty to perform activities of daily living increases. Because of the importance of walking in daily life, gait has become a central focus of study for many researchers aiming to understand the typical and atypical patterns of walking (Marasović et al., 2009). With an increased understanding of walking, research can focus on gait rehabilitation, performance enhancement, and potential risks affecting optimal gait performance. To examine atypical patterns in the walking gait, a thorough understanding of typical walking patterns must first be accomplished.
Walking entails two main phases: the stance phase and the swing phase (Marasović et al., 2009). The stance phase can be further broken down into heel strike, midstance, and toe-off of the leg in contact with the ground (Marasović et al., 2009). The swing phase occurs directly after including the initial swing, mid-swing, and terminal swing of the leg moving through the air (Marasović et al., 2009). There is also a moment of double support occurring when both feet are in contact with the ground (Marasović et al., 2009). These phases of walking are typically assessed using measures of muscle activation, velocity, acceleration and forces (Marasović et al., 2009; Martin & Bajcsy, 2011). For the purpose of this study, the researchers used measures of accelerometry and ground reaction forces.